More on McCartney -- Twliight of the IRA?

Well, it’s about time! The Scotsman reports:

Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Belfast father-of- two Robert McCartney, police said today.

The men, aged 36 and 49, were arrested following police operations in Belfast and Birmingham.

This is obviously good news, but it's still too soon to tell just what consequences, if any, will flow from the arrests.

Catherine McCartney, the victim’s sister, puts this in perspective:

She said: "We obviously welcome these arrests but remain cautious. People
have been arrested before and let out. Others have walked into police stations,
stared at walls and said nothing."

That could very well happen again. Meanwhile, the IRA has tried unsuccessfully to distance itself from the thuggery. It officially expelled three men involved in the McCartney murder. But that hasn’t quieted international criticism. And, of course, they have reverted to their trademark – terrorist threats and violence.

Last month police visited the sisters - and Mr McCartney's partner Bridgeen Hagans - at their Short Strand home to tell them "criminal elements" were threatening to burn down their homes and the business that one of them runs.

The women believe they are being targeted by republicans for their high-profile campaign to bring their brother's killers to justice.

That campaign has been largely successful in hitting the IRA where it hurts most. The sisters’ appeal has graphically illustrated the fact that what was once a patriotic organization has degenerated into a common criminal gang and that fact has seriously undermined American Irish support upon which the IRA depends heavily.

More and more it seems that the IRA is on its last legs. Let us sincerely hope so.

Read about it here.